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Premier League

Wenger Gives Up on Top Four Finish

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Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is facing a “massive” challenge to salvage success from Arsenal’s season.
The Gunners are in sixth place in the Premier League and seven points off the top four following Monday’s 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace, although they have played a game less than fourth-place Manchester City.
The prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since Wenger became manager in 1996 has fuelled angry protests from some Arsenal fans, who have called for the club to replace 67-year-old.
Wenger concedes that his side is facing a tough task but he has called on his players to take risks in their performances in order to get the results they need.
“It’s massive,” he told a news conference when asked about the scale of the challenge. “We might get there, we might not but we have to believe we can do it. It’s not the fear to fail, it’s the desire to make it.
“It’s a big challenge, of course. In football, you have to accept that you can win, lose or draw but you have to give everything to win the next game.
“It’s not been very enjoyable but those moments are part of our job. You focus and prepare and make sure the next game doesn’t go the same way.
“Playing with restriction doesn’t help the performance. We are under pressure to deliver and the best way to play is to accept the risk.”
Wenger confirmed that goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Laurent Koscielny are in line to return for Monday’s league meeting with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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With call for Hag’s sack becoming louder and louder, Mourinho  eyes Man United return

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Roma Sack Manager Mourinho -

After a devastating 4-0 defeat of Manchester United on Monday night by Crystal Palace, the call for the sacking of the coach, Erik ten Hag expectedly became louder. Former coach, Jose Mourinho has indicated his wish to return to the club.

Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United manager after a mixed two-and-a-half seasons in December 2018 but the Portuguese believes that he has unfinished business at Old Trafford

According to Mirror in the UK, the Portuguese is very keen on a sensational return . He is however aware the club don’t want him back.

Mourinho, 61, has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January and has told confidants of his strong but fanciful desire to be given a second chance as manager of the Red Devils.

The ex-Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss was sacked by United in December 2018, bringing to an end a mixed two-and-a-half-season tenure which saw them win three trophies but fail to seriously challenge for the Premier League title.

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That was long before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at the club and although Mourinho considers the new United co-owner his friend, he doesn’t expect to be approached if the Red Devils sack Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag’s role has come under increasing scrutiny over the past few months, with Monday’s dreadful 4-0 defeat away to 14th-placed Crystal Palace serving as the nadir to a wretched season.

Should Ratcliffe and Co pull the trigger, the Manchester Evening News report that Mourinho would be willing to ‘walk’ back to Old Trafford

The Portuguese, who’s aware that a reappointment isn’t likely, recently claimed that Ten Hag has been given considerably more support than he received during his time at United – comments which irked the current Red Devils boss.

“My relationship with (former United executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward was good,” Mourinho told the Telegraph. “Good as in the personal point of view. Even now we sent an SMS. But from a professional point of view it was not the best.

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“I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust.

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Premier League referee to wear camera for first time in today’s  Palace v Man United clash

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Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - April 25, 2024 Referee Jarred Gillett Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Referee Jarred Gillett will wear a camera for the first time in Premier League history during Monday’s fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United as part of filming for a one-off programme promoting match officials, the league said on Monday.

Last year, the Football Association announced it will trial body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues in England in a bid to ascertain whether the technology could help “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees”.

The Bundesliga also used the ‘RefCam’ for the first time during a 2-2 draw between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg in February.

“Fans will be able to view it later in the year as part of a programme being produced by Premier League Productions aimed at offering further insight and education into the demands of officiating in the Premier League,” the league said in a statement.

“The technology comprises a head-mounted device which is integrated into the usual referee communications system.

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“Its one-off use for educational purposes has been approved by the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the Premier League, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and both clubs. We would like to thank Crystal Palace and Manchester United for their support with this project.”

-Reuters

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Chelsea’s Pochettino cries  foul over VAR decision in 2-2 draw with Villa

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 Premier League - Aston Villa v Chelsea - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - April 27, 2024 Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

A VAR decision chalking off what looked to be a late winner for Chelsea at Aston Villa on Saturday has damaged the Premier League, the London club’s manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

His side thought they have completed a remarkable comeback when substitute Axel Disasi netted in second-half stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review penalised a push by Benoit Badiashile in the build-up.

“Me and you and everyone in the stadium watching the game, they didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that’s it,” Pochettino told broadcaster TNT following the 2-2 draw.

“For me, it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English (football). If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision … (it) damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, the fans,” he added.

Chelsea were 2-0 down at the break but goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher put them level before the late goal was overturned.

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“The performance was very good and we played really well. It is true in the first half we conceded easy … to play Villa, who are fighting for the top four, I am pleased with the team and the players were good,” Pochettino said.

Villa boss Unai Emery said his side, who are currently in fourth spot and seven points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, still had their sights set on qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Spurs, however, have three games in hand.

“We have to try to keep being consistent with the players we have and I believe in the players … in Premier League we are fighting with Tottenham for fourth position,” he said.

-Reuters

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